Blogue des stagiaires

Food insecurity is a serious problem in Sri Lanka, particularly in the country’s schools. Despite a government support program aimed at combating hunger and malnutrition in schools, just under half of Sri Lankan schoolchildren receive assistance with their daily meals. The recent Cyclone Ditwah has exacerbated the situation. Sri Lanka needs international aid now more than ever.

When Cyclone Ditwah struck Sri Lanka, Ryan Andrew Ngai was an intern in Negombo with the National Fisheries Solidarity Movement (NAFSO), a local NGO that advocates for the rights of fishing communities. He recounts his experience and how fortunate he was, the massive damage in Sri Lanka, and the need for international aid to help the country recover.

In Guatemala, as in other countries in Central and South America, communities are fighting against the very serious impacts of mining extractivism, mainly by Canadian mining companies which, often with the help of governments, violate the rights of local populations behind false promises of economic development.

Sri Lanka, an island nation highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, must commit to a just transition that would boost the country’s economy while significantly improving community resilience and ensuring that the country meets its environmental commitments on GHG emissions. Success in this area could serve as an example on a global scale.

In Sri Lanka, the issue of mangrove deforestation is attracting considerable attention. As a result, several organizations and coastal communities have launched initiatives to conserve these fragile but vital ecosystems. However, several aspects of the tourism industry have hampered these efforts.

Nepal, a very mountainous country, relies heavily on hydroelectricity for its domestic consumption. However, despite concrete progress in human rights by companies, the country still struggles to respect certain workers’ rights, while developing its hydroelectric sector in an environmentally friendly manner.

The Kathmandu metropolitan community faces significant challenges in waste management. Despite political will and the 2011 Solid Waste Management Act, the city struggles to implement best practices. Solutions include greater recognition of informal and semi-formal workers in the waste sector, better cooperation between private companies and the municipality, and investment in infrastructure.

This article explores the root causes of coastal erosion in Sri Lanka, its impact on the community of Muthupanthiya, and how scientific research is turning to nature-based solutions to help preserve traditional culture and protect ecosystems, particularly mangroves.

The mental health of young people in Nepal suffers from a public health system that does not sufficiently recognize the importance of treating this issue as a political priority. On May 17, 2025, Nehal Singh and Susmita Yadav attended a workshop on this topic co-organized by several associations, including the Nepal Development Initiative (NEDI).

Dr. Baburam Bhattarai was Prime Minister of Nepal after serving as a senior leader of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist). He holds a doctorate from Jawaharlal Nehru University and published a thesis entitled “The Nature of Underdevelopment and Regional Structure of Nepal – A Marxist Analysis.” Nehal Singh had the opportunity to interview him in May 2025 as part of his internship with Alternatives.